Colin Caruthers Young Hunter Award

2025 Winner: Safari Pike

DSC is thrilled to announce Safari Pike as the 2025 Colin Caruthers Young Hunter Award recipient.

Safari, DSC’s youngest-ever Chapter board member, began hunting as a young girl.

“I began my hunting journey when I was six years old,” she said. “My first big game hunt taking place not long after in South Africa when I was seven. Growing up hunting was the foundation of my personality and life. I would spend time reading magazines and books about other sportsmen and women, fawning over their personal adventures and stories.”

In the following years, Safari was able to go on one or two hunts a year.

“My love and passion for the sport grew exponentially over the course of the next few years,” she said. “Hunting was something I loved and cherished, being able to spend time with my family doing something I loved was unmatched by anything else. My hunts ranged from Fallow deer in Spain to Blue Wildebeest in South Africa, with each hunt my eagerness to conserve the sport grew.”

Safari was excited to receive the call she was this year’s award winner.

“When I was contacted with the news that I was this year’s Colin Caruthers Young Hunter, I was ecstatic,” she said. “Being a part of this organization has been a such a rewarding process, that’s why when I heard about CCYHA, I knew I wanted to submit an application. I’m so beyond thankful to be able to receive an award from an organization that has been a part of my life for so long. I look forward to continuing my passion for hunting and love for the outdoors.”

Safari’s greatest hunting achievement in her mind is her kudu hunt.

“The hunt that meant the most to me was my kudu in South Africa. Since I was little, I knew that I wanted to harvest a kudu. Their size and beauty struck me immensely and I fell in love with them. Though the hunt spanned over a few days the kill was quick and clean. Approaching the animal for the first time was one of the most amazing feelings I’ve ever experienced. I was smiling ear to ear; his coarse fur and sun-bleached horns are something I will never forget. I’m so grateful to have had the experience to harvest such an incredible creature.”
 

Purpose

The Young Hunter Award seeks to honor young DSC members who are actively involved in both their hunting journey and local community. The application allows young men and women to share their hunting and shooting experience, their hobbies and extra-curricular activities and academic accomplishments.

Eligibility

All active DSC members aged 23 and under by December 31 of the year of application are eligible to receive this award.

Application

If you are a young hunter and a DSC member, DSC encourages you to look at the new application and consider applying! As in the past, the application allows young men and women to share their hunting and shooting experience, their hobbies and extra-curricular activities and academic accomplishments. Everyone has a unique hunting and conservation journey to share.

Email applications to crystal@biggame.org by September 1.

Presentation

The award shall be presented to the recipient during an evening banquet at DSC’s Annual Convention each year in which a recipient is selected.